ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The deadline for Alaskans affected by the Nov. 30 earthquake to register for federal disaster assistance is fast approaching. It is 11:59 p.m. Friday, May 31.
Residents can apply for assistance the following ways:
- Visit a disaster recovery center. To find one, visit www.fema.gov/DRC
- Apply at DisasterAssistance.gov
- Call 800-621-3362 (FEMA), voice/VP/711. Operators are available in many languages. TTY users may call 800-462-7585. Lines are open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Disaster recovery centers are open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at:
- University of Alaska Annex at University Center Mall, 3901 Old Seward Highway, Suite 153, Anchorage 99503
- Community Covenant Church, 16123 Artillery Rd., Eagle River 99577
The centers are closed May 27 for the Memorial Day holiday and they cease operations May 31.
The U.S. Small Business Administration began operating a disaster loan outreach center at Christ First United Methodist Church at 2635 S. Old Knik Road in Wasilla. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. SBA customer service representatives are available to meet with business owners and residents to explain SBA’s disaster loan program and close their approved disaster loans. The disaster loan outreach center is also closed Memorial Day.
Residents have until May 31 to complete an SBA loan application for additional assistance. SBA can offer loans while insurance claims are pending and for insurance deductibles. Residents may apply online at https://DisasterLoan.sba.gov/ela, or call SBA’s customer service center at 800-659-2955. TTY users can call 800-877-8339.
Federal disaster assistance is intended to jump-start the recovery process; it may not cover all damage or property loss. Insured applicants may receive assistance for items not typically covered by earthquake insurance such as wells, private septic systems and for privately owned access roads.
For more information on Alaska’s disaster recovery, visit FEMA.gov/disaster/4413, twitter.com/FEMARegion10 and Facebook.com/FEMA.